HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 031199• CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
CITY COUNCIL
WORKSHOP MEETING
MARCH 11, 1999
The March 11, 1999, Workshop meeting of the City Council of the
City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, was called to order at 7:30
P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Complex located
at 10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; and
opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL The City Clerk called the roll and the following elected officials
were found to be in attendance: Mayor Joseph R. Russo, Vice
Mayor Lauren Furtado, Councilman Eric Jablin, Councilman David
Clark, and Councilman Carl Sabatello.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
Land Development Update
• Identification of Parcels
Staffing Approaches
•
Mayor Russo stated the announcements were as posted.
Principal Planner Kim Glas Castro presented information obtained
by staff from developers regarding what projects they planned for
the near future. The problem of many projects coming in at the
same time was discussed, including the fact that staff could not tell
whether level of service checks or general market checks could
keep several projects from coming in at the same time.
Determining sufficiency of applications was discussed, as well as
a tiered approach for development of the City which was not yet
adopted into code. Ms. Glas Castro pointed out land parcels for
which WCI had indicated they would be willing sellers under the
Sensitive Lands bond. Assurance that new projects would not
affect drainage and the need for additional outfalls was discussed.
Plans for staffing to handle anticipated heavy workloads were
described as well as plans to hire consultants to make code
revisions to help handle future situations. Growth Management
Director Manning anticipated current staffing plans would be
sufficient to handle the additional work so long as quality people
were hired. Nancy Stroud presented options available to the City
for meeting new land use challenges, described legal parameters of
the options and discussed considerations to think about when
choosing between those options. Options discussed were to:
VA
continue the status quo, adopt zoning in progress, or adopt a
moratorium ordinance. Mayor Russo expressed his concern that
too much development at once could produce blighted areas.
Developing out from a core, possible additional future lanes for
PGA Boulevard, and future development in Jupiter that could
require Palm Beach Gardens services were discussed. Mayor
Russo expressed concern whether the City could physically handle
the economic service issue or the growth. Councilman Sabatello
expressed concern in understanding protections available to the
City and what could be done. Levels of service were discussed.
Issues which the City Council wished to address were drainage,
fire, and recreation, as well as economics in overbuilding and the
ability of the city to service development. After discussion, the
conclusion was reached that overbuilding was not an issue that
could be legally limited. Consensus was to have staff study a tiered
approach. The problem of staff working on petitions at the same
time as working on code revisions was discussed. It was agreed to
have staff set up a draft moratorium ordinance, with any approved
projects excluded, to be available at the next meeting of the City
Council.
• Review of FY98 -99 Work
Program Priorities Concern was expressed regarding projects that became stalled and
also negativity expressed by the Finance Director. City Manager
Herakovich explained that staff had worked to carry out the wishes
of the City Council within the limits of the budget without raising
taxes. The City Council requested more information. The City
Manager suggested that questions be directed to her so that she
could provide answers during a scheduled meeting. It was agreed
to hold a 7 to 7:30 p.m. session before each City Council meeting
for this purpose. Discussion ensued regarding City Council
members speaking directly with staff. The City Attorney advised
that according to the charter, the Mayor as Chief Executive Officer
was to hold meetings and set agendas, and that City Council
members could deal with department heads and employees but
could not interfere with their employment. Mayor Russo requested
that each Council member be featured in the newsletter in
upcoming issues so residents would know who they were. Concern
was expressed that the letter in the vision document had not been
from the City Council. It was agreed that all attorneys performing
legal services for the City should be monitored by the City
• Attorney's office. City Manager reviewed the status of various
work projects. It was agreed that a report on the Klock mitigation
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would be given on a monthly basis, and to look at pockets of land
under 10 acres for annexation. Evaluation of the City Manager's
performance was discussed. A suggestion was made to compile all
the areas for improvement into goals for the next evaluation period.
The City Manager indicated she would provide a format for
consideration in September.
4
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, upon motion by
Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Jablin, the meeting
was adjourned atokl P.
APPROVAL:
/MA's OSE R-kUSSO
VICE MAV9RI,A`UREN�URTADO
• 1 I ••� D 1
COUNCILMAN ARL SABATELLO
ATTEST:
QN9JA V. KOSIER, CMC, CITY CLERK